Tupelo, Baldwyn golf in good shape as state nears

TUPELO – Tupelo and Baldwyn obviously want to keep their title ways going. The two have combined to win eight consecutive state golf championships – Baldwyn the last three in Class 2A and Tupelo five straight in the state’s highest class.
The desire to keep the streaks alive is evident in regular match competition. Tuesday at Tupelo Country Club, Tupelo beat 6A contender Madison Central 301-312 in a crowded field that also included Baldwyn, Northwest Rankin and Jackson Academy.
Tupelo’s Miles Johnson’s 72 earned him medalist honors. He had an eagle on 15 and birdied No. 4 and No. 7. Blake Harris shot 73, Austin Rose 77, Hayden Buckley 79 and Kirk Reeder 81 for the Wave.
“It’s good to get battle-tested before the state tournament, since it’s going to be here,” Tupelo coach Mark Enis said. “Very proud of Miles and Blake for their rounds. That’s what we need from those guys. I know Austin and Hayden didn’t play as well as they wanted to and that’s not a bad round for Kirk Reeder. If everybody does their part, I think were going to be OK come around May 1 and 2.”
bearcats finish third
Baldwyn finished in third with a 324 total. Tucker Jenkins led the way with a 78. Clayton Gray followed with an 81.
The Bearcats closed with Will Moore’s 82, Jacob Dixon’s 83, Cason Collins’ 85 and jumped on the road after the match for a match in Jackson. The 2A state tournament is scheduled for May 1-2.
“Good competition. We probably didn’t do as well as we should have. Two or three struggled finishing, but we’re OK,” Baldwyn coach Michael Gray said. “We got the same kids back from last year. That’s what we’re shooting for.”
Tupelo’s state tournament match is scheduled to be played here. Baldwyn will play at Mississippi State.
“These are a few of the teams we’ll be playing at the state championship and it’s great to come out here and play where we’re going to host,” Johnson said.
brandon.speck@journalinc.com